Sorry, it’s been a while since I made a general-purpose post. Life can be like that.

I like wool clothing, and natural fibers in general, more than synthetics, at least most of the time. Sure, synthetics totally have their place, and are sometime absolutely GREAT (nomex fire-resistant stuff, for example, and kevlar for some applications). But for general wear, I figure that God made things like wool, silk, flax, and cotton so comfy and usable for a reason. That said, natural products are not quite as consistent or cheap as all the things derived from oil, like rayon, polyester, nylon, etc. Continue reading Wool clothing →

My brother wrote this up and sent it in the Juneau Empire, the local newspaper where I grew up and my parents lived most of their life. It is for both my dad, who died earlier this year, and my mom, who died Thanksgiving day about two and half years ago. Since they spent more than half their lives together, remembering them together makes sense. Continue reading Parents obit →

My father, James “Jim” Nelson, has died, at the age of 96, almost 97. His wife of more than 66 years, my mom, died on Thanksgiving Day two and a half years ago. He was not the same after she passed away, but he was a tough old bird that was still going for walks largely unassisted as recently as last year. His recent decline from needing a bit of help, to needing a walker, to needing a wheelchair, to not being able to get out of bed without assistance was relatively rapid. His mother had survived to 99. He died with both my brothers near at hand, as the morning sun peaked above the horizon and into his window, with birds chirping outside on the windowsill. All his children and grandchildren had the chance to see him and say goodbye within the previous 3 days.

Continue reading Dad died →

While the flight to Juneau from SEA had a few minor bumps and a delay (gate shifts, a plane change, etc.), ultimately I arrived with no significant problems. I got back from the reunion with a tailwind and no difficulty. The frozen fish was still frozen, etc.

A few thoughts about it, now that it’s had time to settle.[updated] Continue reading Reunion update →

Rhubarb Cookies

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter
2 heaping cups thinly sliced rhubarb
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
4 1/2 cups sifted flour*
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Cream together sugars and butter.

Mix in vanilla, and eggs.

Sift together salt, soda, and baking powder into first cup of flour, mix into dough.

Sift in remaining flour a cup at a time, mixing well but not whipping.

Note: it will seem like a pretty dry cookie dough; that’s ok.

Gently mix in rhubarb and walnuts so there are still chunks.

Drop onto cookie sheet in ~ tablespoon-sized glops; I use an ice cream scoop.

Cook at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Cool on rack.

*I usually use half whole-wheat and half white flour, and you can easily substitute in a half cup of wheat germ or oat bran for a half cup of flour.